MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS CAPITOL HILL REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS CAPITOL HILL MONROVIA, LIBERIA

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REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS CAPITOL HILL REPUBLIC MONROVIA, OF LIBERIA LIBERIA MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS CAPITOL HILL MONROVIA, LIBERIA

1 REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS CAPITOL HILL REPUBLIC MONROVIA, OF LIBERIA LIBERIA MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS CAPITOL HILL MONROVIA, LIBERIA REGULATIONS TO GOVERN THE ADMINISTRATION AND ISSUANCE OF LIBERIAN PASSPORTS REGULATIONS TO GOVERN THE ADMINISTRATION AND ISSUANCE OF LIBERIAN PASSPORTS NOVEMBER, DECEMBER- 2012

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction Article I: Definition of a Liberian Passport Article II: General Requirements for the Application of Liberian Passports Article III: Specific Requirements for the Application and use of certain categories of Liberian Passports/Travel Documents Article IV: Persons Entitled to Receive or be Granted Certain Categories of Passports/Travel Documents A. Diplomatic Passport B. Official Passport C. Service Passport D. Laissez Passer/Border Crossing Passes E. Former Officials of Government Article V: Passport Fees Article VI: Others

3 INTRODUCTION Chapter 20.3(f) of the Executive Law authorizes the Minister of Foreign Affairs to issue or grant passports and visas as part of his/her statutory duties and functions and to facilitate the fundamental rights of freedom of movement for all citizens of Liberia. These functions are in harmony with chapter III (3) article 13(a & b) of the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia. Therefore, it becomes imperative to formulate a mechanism that will enhance the passport issuance responsibility of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Accordingly, these Regulations are hereby promulgated to ensure simplicity in procedure, fairness in administration and the elimination of unjustifiable expense and delay in the issuance of Liberian passports and other travel documents. These Regulations also specify the categories of passport and to whom they are issued. Regulations to Govern the Administration & Issuance of Liberian Passports (page 1)

4 ARTICLE I DEFINITION OF A LIBERIAN PASSPORT A Liberian passport is an official document issued by the Government of Liberia by which the bearer is recognized in foreign countries either as a Liberian citizen, an honorary consul, a diplomatic agent or emissary designated by the President of the Republic of Liberia or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Non-citizens may be granted a Liberian passport by the Minister of Foreign Affairs acting under the authority of the President or by the determination of the President. The passport requests foreign countries to permit the bearer to pass freely through or enter into their sovereign territories without hindrance or molestation. These passports are classified in the following categories to include: Diplomatic, Official, Service and Ordinary. ARTICLE II GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE APPLICATION OF LIBERIAN PASSPORTS In order to legally obtain or be granted a Liberian passport, the individual applicant requesting to be granted a Liberian passport must fulfill one of the following requirements: All persons applying for Liberian passports or travel documents must possess and present proof of being a natural born or naturalized Liberian citizen or must have taken the oath of allegiance of Liberian citizenship. (i) The evidence shall be either a certified Liberian birth certificate; or (ii) If the applicant is not a natural born citizen, he/she must present a certified certificate of citizenship/naturalization issued by a Liberian Regulations to Govern the Administration & Issuance of Liberian Passports (page 2)

5 Court of competent jurisdiction, which must be verified and confirmed by the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization (BIN). (iii) In the event that an applicant has one parent who is a Liberian and the other a non Liberian, he/she upon attaining majority (18 years) and before he/she reaches the age of 23 years, must show proof (certificate) of the oath of allegiance to become a citizen of Liberia duly issued by a Liberian court of competent jurisdiction or as the case may be, goes before a Liberian Consul and takes the oath of allegiance to the Republic of Liberia required of a petitioner for naturalization. (iv) That these general application requirements shall be scrutinized and read alongside volume II, title 4, chapter 22 of the Alien and Nationality Law of Liberia (loss of citizenship) of the Liberian Codes Revised. (v) Applicants for Liberian passports must fill an application form and submit it with one (1) passport size photo (recent color photo of the applicant s facial view). Further photograph may be taken in the case of biometric passports. Regulations to Govern the Administration & Issuance of Liberian Passports (page 3)

6 ARTICLE III SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR THE APPLICATION AND USE OF CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF LIBERIAN PASSPORTS/TRAVEL DOCUMENTS The following classifications or categories of applicants for certain types of Liberian passports or travel documents are required to present the below listed documentary evidence to support their applications as follows: 1. Applicants for Diplomatic Passports must give written proof or evidence that they are employees of the Government of Liberia with a rank or status as contained in these Regulations or individuals who are or may be required or assigned to serve the Republic of Liberia as diplomatic emissaries to foreign nations or Governments; or show proof that a specific waiver of these requirements have been approved by the Minister of Foreign Affairs or a dispensation given by the President of the Republic of Liberia. 2. Ministries, agencies of Government, organizations and individuals applying for Official or Service passport on behalf of an official or employee must show written proof that the applicant is employed with the entity. Further, the applicant or requesting agency must show that the purpose or the request is to facilitate an official travel or travel that is related to the functions of the Government of Liberia. The entity/institution will also be expected to take custody of the passports immediately upon the return of the Passport holder from an official visit or upon the end of service with the entity. Holders of Diplomatic, Official, and Service Passports shall be expected to refrain from using the passports in ways that injure the image of the country and undermine the dignity of such passports. Regulations to Govern the Administration & Issuance of Liberian Passports (page 4)

7 3. An application for Ordinary Liberian Passport or travel documents for minor children of a married couple must be signed and submitted by either parent. However, in the case of unmarried parents, the mother is required to give her consent, except where there is legal evidence that the child has been legitimized by the father and the child is placed in the custody of the father or legal guardian by a court of competent jurisdiction. 4. In the case of a child one of whose parents is a Liberian and the other a foreigner, the child shall be granted a Liberian passport until he/she reaches majority (18 years) and thereafter, has to decide which nationality to adopt. If the child decides to continue being a Liberian, he/she must pledge allegiance to the Republic of Liberia before the expiry of his/her 23 rd birthday. 5. In all other cases for the application of an Ordinary Liberian Passport, the applicant must fulfill one of the requirements provided in article II of these Regulations. 6. Ordinary passports shall be issued for five years, while Diplomatic, Official and Service Passports shall be issued for two years. 7. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Liberia s Embassies and Consulates shall, on a case by case basis also issue Laissez Passer for emergency travels to Liberian citizens and foreigners who were born in Liberia and desire to travel to their countries of nationality for the purpose of obtaining proper travel documents. Laissez Passer shall have duration as indicated in the Regulations to Govern the Administration & Issuance of Liberian Passports (page 5)

8 instrument. However, no Laissez Passer shall have validity beyond ninety (90) days as of the date of issuance. 8. Consistent with this Regulation, the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization (BIN) shall also have the authority to issue Border Crossing Passes on a need basis which validity shall not exceed seven (7) days as of the date of issuance. The BIN may develop regulations for the issuance of such Border Crossing Passes. 9. Note that each application for a Liberian passport in any of the categories shall be reviewed and scrutinized on case by case bases. ARTICLE IV PERSONS ENTITLED TO RECEIVE OR BE GRANTED CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF PASSPORTS/TRAVEL DOCUMENTS The Constitution of Liberia provides for the free movement of every Liberian citizen, which entitles every Liberian to a Liberian travel document (passport). All Liberians are entitled to an Ordinary Liberian Passport without discrimination. Diplomatic, Official and Service Passports are special privileged passports and those to benefit from them are as follows: F. DIPLOMATIC PASSPORT Diplomatic Passport is a class of passport which may be issued or be granted only to persons or individuals who are or may be required or assigned to represent the Republic of Liberia as a Diplomatic agent in foreign nations or to the below listed categories of officials of Government and others. Regulations to Govern the Administration & Issuance of Liberian Passports (page 6)

9 1. President and Vice President or Head of State and Vice Head of State (i)the spouses of the President and Vice President or Head of State and Vice Head of State. (ii) The children of the President and Vice President or Head of State and Vice Head of State. 2. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Justice and the President Pro-Tempore of the Senate (i)the spouse(s) of Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Chief Justice and the President Pro-Tempore of the Senate. (ii) The children under 18 years of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Chief Justice and the President Pro-Tempore of the Senate, if accompanying them. 3. The members of the House of Representatives and the House of Senate (i)the spouse(s) of the members of the House of Representatives and the Senate, if accompanying them. (ii) The children under 18 years of the members of the House of Representatives and the Senate, if accompanying them. 4. The Chief Clerk of the House of Representative and the Secretary of the Senate (i)the spouse(s) of the Chief Clerk of the House of Representative and the Secretary of the Senate, if accompanying them. (ii) The children under 18 years of the Chief of the House of Representatives and the Secretary to the Senate, if accompanying them. Regulations to Govern the Administration & Issuance of Liberian Passports (page 7)

10 5. The Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of Liberia. (i) The spouses of Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of Liberia, if accompanying them. (ii) The children under 18 years of Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of Liberia, if accompanying them. 6. The Court Administrator of the Supreme Court of Liberia 7. The spouse(s) Court Administrator of the Supreme Court of Liberia, if accompanying him/her. (i)the children under 18 years of the Court Administrator of the Supreme Court of Liberia, if accompanying them. 8. Cabinet Ministers, Ambassadors Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary, and Ambassadors-at-Large (i)the spouses of the Cabinet Ministers, Ambassadors Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary, and Ambassadors-At-Large (ii) The children under 18 years of Cabinet Ministers, Ambassadors Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary, and Ambassadors-At-Large, if accompanying them. 9. Consular and other Foreign Service Officers (i)the spouses of Consular and other Foreign Service Officers living or traveling with said officers on post. (ii) The children under 18 years of Consular and other Foreign Service Officers living or traveling with their parents on post. Regulations to Govern the Administration & Issuance of Liberian Passports (page 8)

11 10. Deputy and Assistant Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Inspector General of the Foreign Service, Chief of Protocol of the Republic of Liberia, Chief of Protocol at the Executive Mansion, Heads of autonomous agencies, public corporation and commissions. 11. The various Heads of the military and paramilitary forces including the Chief of Staff, Deputy Chief of Staff and Commanding General of the Armed Forces of Liberia. 12. Advisors to the President of the Republic of Liberia 13. Widows and widowers of former Presidents and Vice Presidents. In addition to the above category of officials and individuals, the below listed individuals on the basis of their ranks or positions in Government may be granted or issued Diplomatic Passports as a matter of privilege when assigned by an appropriate Governmental institution to represent the Government or render service for the Government of Liberia in foreign countries: a. Natural-born Liberian heads of recognized religious institutions not lower than the rank of Bishops, Chief Imam, etc. b. All natural-born Liberian heads (Presidents) of accredited universities in Liberia. Regulations to Govern the Administration & Issuance of Liberian Passports (page 9)

12 OFFICIAL PASSPORT An Official Passport is a class of passport whose issuance is dictated by the nature of the work of the applicant and may be issued or granted only to officials of Government who are subject to confirmation by the Senate where applicable, and hold the following positions or ranks: 1. Deputy Ministers, Assistant Ministers, Assistant Ministers equivalent, Deputy Managing Directors, Directors of Government Ministries and Commissioners. 2. Judges of Courts of Record, Magistrates, Justices of the Peace, County Attorneys and Defense Counsels/Public Defenders. 3. The Chief Clerk of the Supreme Court, Marshals, Deputy Marshals and Sheriffs. 4. Superintendents of Counties, Assistant Superintendents, Paramount Chiefs, City Mayors and Council Members. 5. Members of the military and paramilitary from the rank of lieutenant or its equivalent and above. 6. Other officials and distinguished citizens of the Republic of Liberia, at the determination of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and for good and sufficient reason, those designated to go on special mission for Government, even though they are non Government Officials. 7. Attendants of Diplomatic Passport holders, if accompanying their principals. 8. All appointed board members of public corporations. Regulations to Govern the Administration & Issuance of Liberian Passports (page 10)

13 SERVICE PASSPORT Service Passport is a class of passport whose issuance is based only on the nature of work and activity of the grantee. Service Passports shall be granted to Civil Servants and lower ranking officials below the rank of Assistant Minister and Director. The grantee must be non-commissioned Presidential, judicial, legislative or ministerial appointees who are serving in such capacities as follows: 1. Research Personnel 2. Secretaries/Clerks 3. Civil Servants of autonomous agencies 4. Military and Para-Military Personnel below the rank of lieutenant 5. Athletes 6. Employees of Diplomats (drivers/wards, etc) Diplomatic, Official and Service Passports must be issued by and at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Therefore, no Foreign Service officer or Mission of the Republic of Liberia shall issue Diplomatic, Official and Service Liberian Passports except when specifically authorized by written instructions from the Minister of Foreign Affairs or the President or Head of State of the Republic of Liberia. All requests for Diplomatic, Official and Service Passports should be written by the head of the requesting institution to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Payments for Diplomatic, Official and Service Passports shall be made by the Government entity/institution requesting for such passports on behalf of an official or employee of Government. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will not accept payment for Diplomatic, Official or Service passports from officials or employees of Government directly. Applicants for Regulations to Govern the Administration & Issuance of Liberian Passports (page 11)

14 Diplomatic or other categories of passports not in the employ of Government must bear the cost of issuance of such passports. Requests from the National Legislature should be written by the Chief Clerk for the House of Representatives and the Secretary of the Senate for the Senate; and for the Judiciary, the Court Administrator. G. LAISSEZ PASSER/BORDER CROSSING PASSES All Laissez Passer and Border Crossing Passes shall be issued pursuant to provisions of Article III above. H. FORMER OFFICIALS OF GOVERNMENT 1. Former Presidents and Vice Presidents, Chief Justice, Speaker, President Pro-Tempore and their spouses shall be issued Diplomatic Passports. 2. Former heads of Transitional/Interim Governments and their spouses shall be issued Diplomatic passports. 3. Former Ministers of Foreign Affairs shall be issued Diplomatic Passports; and 4. All former officials (Cabinet Ministers, members of the Legislative Body, Justices of the Supreme Court, Ambassadors) shall be issued Official passports. The Official or Diplomatic passport for a former official shall indicate the former title. Example: former member of the Senate, House, Cabinet, Diplomat, etc. Regulations to Govern the Administration & Issuance of Liberian Passports (page 12)

15 All Officials of Government who shall be dismissed for acts incompatible with their status shall not be permitted to benefit from the issuance of such privileged passports. In the absence of Service Passports, as is the case with the current family of ECOWAS Passports, Official Passports will be issued to those who would ordinarily be issued Service Passports as an interim measure. However, the issuance and usage of Official Passports in such situations will be carefully monitored to prevent and/or curtail abuse. ARTICLE V PASSPORT FEES The Official passport fees in Liberia will apply to Liberians whether in or out of Liberia; but those residing outside of Liberia who apply for passport at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and want the passport sent abroad will pay additional fees for courier services, or based on their arrangements, which will depend on where they live and the courier service. As provided for in the Restated Biometric Passport Contract of 2011, Passport fees will be US$23.00 for all categories of ECOWAS National Passports for applicants obtaining their passports at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. US$200 will be charged for an ECOWAS passport issued to Liberian citizens outside Liberia through Liberia s missions or authorized stations. These fees may be reviewed from time to time as circumstances demand. NOTE: The fee for Laissez Passer shall be US$10.00 and the fee for Border Crossing Passes shall be determined by the BIN but not to exceed US$5.00. Regulations to Govern the Administration & Issuance of Liberian Passports (page 13)

16 ARTICLE VI OTHERS 1. Foreign Service Officers who have been recalled but not dismissed or reassigned should remain in possession of their passports until it expires and must not be re-issued new ones until they are re-assigned/appointed. If they are not re-assigned/re-appointed, then they must not be re-issued new ones. 2. There shall be no renewal of any passport; at the expiry of the designated time, a new Passport shall be applied for. 3. These Regulations are subject to change if and when necessary. However, they shall govern the issuance of passports until otherwise changed. Regulations to Govern the Administration & Issuance of Liberian Passports (page 14)

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